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Wednesday, July 8, 2015

So Week 1- I definitely planned more meals than we could eat (wooweee, that means freezer meals for another time!)

Week 2

I went shopping, and went to the farmers market! I was so excited that I spent a total of $45.06! YES!

Then I went back down to my car and realized I forgot that I had also purchased a gallon each of white vinegar and cider vinegar. So I went $8.51 over. That's not too bad, right? I'll try to make it back in Week 3.

So far this week I made pulled pork (=pork butt in crock pot covered [1/2 root beer, 1/4 cider vinegar, 1/4 h20]) It's amazing. Just ask my dad. I froze half of it so that I wouldn't have to make it again in a few weeks when I have another craving!

I had stocked up on creamed corn and corn muffin mix when Bottom Dollar was going out of business, so i purchased 2 chicken breasts and made chicken tamale casserole.
Here is the "real" recipe: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-tamale-casserole; but I use a real egg, real milk, a bit more cheese, and we each with crunched tortilla chips in lieu of sour cream.
YUM.
I bought lots of veggies this week and haven't decided what to make yet. Anyone have any good cauliflower ideas that don't involve 1,000+ steps? ;)

I did break down and buy white bread, pb and jelly. Its been so long since I have had one. So that's been breakfast. Not expensive at all ($0.85 bread, $1.89 pb, $1.69 jelly = $4.43 for 7 breakfasts = $0.63 per breakfast)....

Tonight we are having hot sausage with peppers and onions (the sausage was a gift from a neighbor...venison) let's hope it's good!

I never did make the black bean taquitos from goop so I'll do that to finish the week out.

Monday, June 29, 2015

I have not stuck to the official meal plan yet...but Friday night was sauteed tilapia with roasted potatoes and asparagus. I used Kewpie as the final touch on the asparagus (it is what I regard as Japanese crack mayo) along with some Chinese Five Spice, Sumac, and toasted sesame oil.

I made a big ole pan of lasagna on Saturday because I had everything, and had too much homework than to cook one easy meal.

The Pappardale Bologniase was Sunday night...and holy yum. Wasn't the conventional, and I was A-OK with that. Had great papperdale noodles from Trader Joe's, diced tomatoes and tomato paste, a good helping of red wine, some African basil and milk to make the sauce. I had some fun chicken sausages from a farm market in Allentown that I browned up and threw in (one was buffalo blue cheese and the other portobello Asiago)...so ya, it was delish.

I did a MASSIVE kitchen cleaning/organization, and yes, i did pull out the label maker. It made it so much easier to see what we have in pantry stock.

Friday, June 26, 2015

I am sick and tired of having a food plan...not having a food plan...over shopping...wasting food...it's just not cool! I do work a full time+ job, own my own business, getting my MBA, plus everything at home, so it's not like free time is a relevant term in my life. I have found that if I can focus: ad shop, meal plan, budget, and prepare for insanity, life is a lot nicer and I can find a little bit of free time in there!

Blogger Emily Levinson challenged friends and fellow bloggers to join her in "project: food budget"
OF COURSE I jumped on board. Did I start 4 weeks late? Hell yes. Not on purpose of course.
But here I am: 4 weeks behind and excited to begin. And I'm in finals week...so bear with me!

Did you see all of the hoopla of Gwyneth Paltrow "failing" her $29 food stamp challenge? Well- on the bright side, she made a lot of people now realize what 1 out of 7 of Americans have to survive on! Awareness is key.

On our fortunate side, and my savvy saving skills, we have a super well stocked pantry and chest freezer. My goal for the next 2 months is to spend $45 a week (yes, two adults) while using up what we have so it doesn't go to waste. I do have every condiment, spice, herb possible...so that will help. OH, and "urban" gardening helps, too : )

I hope you enjoy my personal challenge. I'll share photos and updates...and grumblings when they pop up throughout each week. Once A week I will share the meal plan and receipt totals so you can keep me accountable!